Time of Worship

You probably think I'm crazy. Sometimes I think that myself. Regardless, when MWS is within a few hours, I just have to go.(And yes, I just saw him in concert two months ago...) It's part legacy for me; I grew up listening and loving all his songs. The other part  is worship. He's my favorite worship leader of all time. I know worship goes beyond music and singing, but honestly, the music and singing is close to my heart.

I'm definitely no soloist, but I usually have a song in my heart. I sing with or to the girls frequently. And I love hearing them sing along with me. (or better yet, on their own) I have my parents to thank for this. I grew up listening to music and hearing my parents sing. I love to harmonize, and I get that from both my parents...though I sing alto like my mom and not tenor. Sorry dad. :)

Goodness, that was some rambling...

Anyway, my husband, being the good man that he is, knows that 1. I like getting out of town and 2. He knows I love concerts and worship times. We went with another couple (dear friends) and drove the 2 hours in NASTY weather to get there. Who would have thought that in the middle of April we'd be driving in 32 degrees of mist and STRONG winds?

It was at a big church, and it was just MWS, another gal on guitar and a keyboard player. It was informal, and I loved it. He shared from his heart what God has taught him over the years, and the second half was all worship songs. I loved singing alongside with 2000+ people. It took me back to chapel at Cedarville. There are times I crave going to chapel. If you are a CU grad, you know what I mean. And that night was like that for me...a reminder of what Heaven will be like. Singing praises to our God. Forever.

A Daughter of the King

Two weeks ago was a very special day in our house. When Brandon put Maisie to bed, he naturally talked about the Easter story. (We'd been doing the Resurrection Eggs a lot at home). When he asked her if she wanted to ask Jesus into her heart, she said YES!  He asked her questions about sin, Jesus dying on the cross, etc. to make sure she understood what she was doing. She definitely did! He called me up into her bed, too, and we talked about it some more before Brandon prayed with her.

The angels rejoiced, and so did Brandon and I.

Maisie, I am so thankful you have made a commitment to Christ at such a young age. My prayer is that you live life with your security in Christ and His salvation! I pray you serve Him always!

The next day she shared her news with her teachers and some family members. It was cute because she was shy about it when she said, "I prayed to Jesus." I had to chuckle because she prays to Jesus every night. :)

I have this date written on my calendar so we can always celebrate and talk about Maisie's conversion. Like I heard a pastor say this week, "If there isn't a conversion story, there isn't a conversion." I want Maisie to remember this as her own.

Picture Memories

A completely off the wall post that highlights life in this household:

See this guy? I love them on the fence but not on my BIRD feeder.

 Which  is exactly why we have this on the feeder - to prevent the squirrels!

 This would be Sadie eating a cucumber like a banana.

 Want to know what the girls are looking at?

 Sorry mom. I found this when I went to get a bucket from the garage. It was the day Brandon was home sick. We kept it until Analise got home from school and then took it out back and let it loose, only to watch it run back IN the garage. At least we now know where they are getting in. Since then, this week I found a mouse in the bucket again. We took it to the park this time to let it free. :)

 These two spent quite a while reading books like this.

 The girls participated in the palm parade at church on Sunday.

 Sadie's face is somewhat typical around here...

 One of the best projects Brandon  has done around the house was putting in a laundry door in our bathroom. We put the clothes down the "chute" directly into the laundry room. Whenever I go down to work on the laundry, Sadie always goes into my bathroom to see me from up there. She thinks it's so fun. I had to capture it.

School Carnival

Analise's school has a huge carnival every other year. This was our first year where we could attend. She was really excited about, and Brandon was in favor of taking the family. (What a man!) We decided to buy wristbands so the girls could do whatever they wanted without having to hand out quarters.

We got there right when it started, and the girls had lots of fun on the inflatables before the lines got really long.

Here is Maisie going down a tall, steep slide.

Analise went head first, too.

I didn't get a picture of Sadie going down the slide, but I have a mental picture I don't think I will be able to forget. Here she was, all 28 pounds of her climbing up the inflatable steps, and goes down for the first time. There was sheer fear/delight in her eyes. It was like she was free falling! She went right back up for another turn.
Here are Analise and Sadie posing.

Each of the girls got their face painted and a balloon.

Analise took a turn at the "cake walk" game while we finished dinner. I looked  over and saw her looking at all the cakes, so I went over and told her she couldn't have a cake. She said, "Mom, I won! They called my number!" By golly, they did. I guided her in selecting a purchased cake instead of a homemade one. She decided on this giant cookie.

Analise's comment pretty much sums up their fun. "Mom, I can't wait until 2013 so we can come again!"

Another Year Older

Two weeks ago my main man celebrated another birthday. Yes, two weeks ago.

Let me see...what did we do?

That weekend I was at church Friday night and Sat. morning for a women's simulcast with Priscilla Shirer. It was a good, refreshing time where I felt God begin a new journey with me. Brandon was the awesome dad at home taking care of the girls. We were going to celebrate with family on Sat. evening, but we ended up postponing it for a couple of reasons. 1. Nephew A. had strep. 2. Brandon had been battling a cold all week and couldn't taste anything. I honestly didn't want to make him a special birthday meal and him not taste it. :)

Instead we had a nice, low key evening at home. We had him open one of his gifts: a new spring shirt and tie. He caught the hint and wore it to church the next morning.

He he is looking good in his new attire and surrounded by pretty ladies.

We went over to his folk's house after church to prepare his lunch of choice: lemon chicken, homemade fried rice, strawberry pretzel salad, and homemade bread. It became a team event getting it all done! Thanks for the help ladies!

He opened rest of his gifts and got more cameo gear and some other things he wanted.

And here he is with his triple chocolate cheesecake I made. It was chocolaty and good!

After we left his parent's house that afternoon, he admitted to feeling terrible. He took himself in to the doctor and was diagnosed with pneumonia! Poor guy! He pushed through his entire party with such a good attitude. The doctor was surprised he could even walk in and gave him several meds. Thankfully he started feeling better by that evening. He wasn't quite as wheezy, so that was nice.

He stayed home from work the next day and got several small, quiet projects done around the house. It was great having him home! I even got to by groceries by myself.

Tuesday evening we surprised him with a "birthday do-over." I felt bad he didn't feel well on his birthday (though he was able to taste his food. :)) so his mom joined us for a biscuits and gravy dinner. He enjoyed this meal, too, and we were all thankful he was feeling better!

Out of my Comfort Zone

Thursday was a day where I put myself out of my comfort zone. I am going to be vulnerable here, so you've been warned. And some may just roll their eyes at me...regardless, I was out of my cozy little world.
Brandon's boss had invited me and another lady (a good friend of mine!) to join him for a business breakfast where there would be a speaker and then round table discussion. The discussion was on "The First Five Years" an early childhood push for kids to age five. His boss chose us because he thought we were "experts" on this topic. And honestly, since I haven't taught for many years, I don't feel like an expert. So I went as a mom and not an educator.
So, I didn't feel like I could say no because it's my husband's boss! Yet everything in me didn't want to go. I don't feel comfortable around business people (I'm just a "stay at home mom.") and I don't like large group sharing times (or round table discussion). I'd rather keep my thoughts to myself. So when you take a discussion with business men, now you know why I wasn't excited to go. Brandon supported and encouraged me in going (he had to do the morning routine and delivery for girls), and my good friend went, too, and I know she is like minded with me. Add some prayers, and I didn't even get nervous!
It went just fine. I saw some church men that I know and some other people, too. The looks on their faces were priceless...they don't usually see me hanging out with elite business men. The speaker spoke on the role of training children in the first five years and the effects that will have on businesses/economy. After he spoke, there was a time of asking questions. That took so long, there was no time for round table discusion. :)
Here are some things I learned or was reminded of:
1. Those men in the room had the same questions I did. They just verbally asked them. It was a boost of confidence for me.
2. My heart was saddened several times by comments from both men and women.
3. It was good for me to get out of Christian bubble and be reminded what the world's views are like.
4. I had opinions on the matter...and I don't think I would have been afraid to share them if we had had time for discussion.
5. I might be a "stay at home mom" but I have a brain, and I am contributing to society. Being at home with my children does not make me less worthy or influential on those around me who have bigger incomes and more prestige in the community.
6. I view my Lord as my savior and not the state. (This Truth Project lesson came at the Lord's perfect timing. If you've done the study, you will know what I am talking about. If you haven't done the study, I highly encourage you to do so!)
 I won't share my opinions on my blog. I will say this - if I am invited back to the next meeting, I have made a commitment with my friend that I will go. I feel like God has opened the door for this opportunity. Oh, and Brandon still has his job. :)

Tuesday/Wednesday

Last Tuesday was a good day. It started with Bible Study; I love those women! And the study has been great, too. Last week's lesson was on doubt.(And by that I mean overcoming doubt. :)) After school Analise had her first "running club." Her school started this club last year, but we felt that in the best interest of our family, it wouldn't work. So when I told Analise she could do it this year, she was thrilled!  We chose  her to stay after school one day a week to run, and we'd try and find an additional day at home for us to go for a walk or run. This girl ran 2.5 miles! The same girl who gets soooo tirrrrred when walking in a store. She was beaming ear to ear when she got in the van. Way to go Analise!

Weds. morning after preschool drop off, Sadie and I ran some quick in and out errands. We then met Maisie at a local cookie store for her preschool field trip. We couldn't stay the whole time because it overlapped with Kindermusik. She was happy to see me there but was also fine when I  left. I realized when all the kids were lined up along the wall, that Maisie is one of the more petite kids in her class. I hadn't realized that before. Another confirmation in waiting another year for Kdg.

She came home so excited, or on a sugar high, from her trip to the cookie store. And this place spoils them! She came home with a dozen, small sugar cookies, two containers of frosting, a container of sprinkles and a container of M&Ms.

Later while dad ate lunch, I let Maisie frost her cookies. I let this be her thing and not tell her what to do. (I had to bite my tongue several times...) She was so cute to watch! The most fun thing to see was her share those precious cookies. She gave one to Brandon, one to me, and then she gave one to daddy for him to take to work. May we all have the joy like that when it comes to giving.